The Return of Venturi

By Vicky Moon and Special to Washington PostBy Vicky Moon and Special to Washington PostMay 25, 1980

Ken Venturi will replay the final shots of his dramatic 1964 U.S. Open victory at Congressional when he returns to the course as one of six announcers covering the Kemper Open for CBS Sports.

WDVM-TV-9 will carry live coverage of the tournament Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Venturi will work the course as a roving reporter and will also play Congressional's 18th hole, reenacting his Open triumph for a taped feature for use in Sunday's telecast.

"It was one of the most stunning victories in golf," said Frank Chirkinian, executive producer of golf for CBS Sports. "It will bring back a lot of memories when he walks on the 18th hole to tell about his thoughts that day. It must have been 100 degrees in the shade."

"Basically, what we will be doing is reporting the event," said Chirkinian, who will produce 18 tournaments this season. "There is no electronic gimmickry involved. We are reporters, not entainters. We do not subordinate the event. We get the story."

Ratings for the golf tour (through the Masters) on CBS this year "have not been good," according to network spokesman Jay Rosenstein. The ratings have bee down 4 percent on Saturdays and 12 percent on Sundays from last year.

"I'm not really sure what the problem is, Rosenstein said. "Some say too much golf on television and others say not enough recognizable faces like a Palmer or a Nicklaus or even Johnny Miller."

However, demographics are still high. Advertisers still are willing to shell out $25,000 for a 30-second spot.